Plan your trip to Kimolos, Greece: white-sand Prassa beach, the volcanic Skiadi rock, a quiet Chora, a 10-minute hop from Milos & how to get there by ferry.
9 chapters · 5 beaches· 36.8042° N 24.5708° E
The Lesser-Known Island of the Western Cyclades
It's a pristine island of white cliffs, turquoise coves, and completely unspoiled charm
Ferry time: fastest sailing in a one-day Ferryhopper timetable sample (Aug 12, 2026). Not live; check times when you book.
Island explorer
The villages and beaches that shape the island. Tap a chapter to fly there, then plan it into your trip.
Village · Chorio
Chapters01 / 09
Chapter 01
Village
The island's capital and only real village is a classic Cycladic settlement built around a medieval castle. Whitewashed houses, bougainvillea-draped balconies, and tiny churches create an amazing atmosphere. You'll find a handful of tavernas in the main square, which acts as the heart of the island's social life.
Touristas AI checks ferries, stays and timing for your dates.
01 · The island
Kimolos is a small volcanic island in the Cyclades right next to Milos. It's known for its dramatic white clay cliffs, quiet sandy beaches, and a picturesque medieval Chora. You can reach it via a short ferry from Milos, or directly from Piraeus in 4 to 5 hours. It's a beautifully quiet escape in the western Cyclades.
Kimolos is one of the smallest and least visited islands in the Cyclades, sitting just a nautical mile from the northwest coast of Milos in the Aegean Sea. With fewer than 800 year-round residents, this quiet spot has escaped mass tourism entirely. It's the kind of Greek island that offers you a rare glimpse of authentic life, showing what these islands felt like decades ago before the crowds arrived.
The island's geology is incredible. You'll see white chalk cliffs sculpted by wind and waves, volcanic rock beaches in shades of gold and black, and the famous Skiadi mushroom rock standing alone on a hillside. The waters here are among the clearest in the Aegean Sea, fed by natural hot springs beneath the seabed that keep the sea warm and clean.
Life here revolves around Chorio, a lovely village of whitewashed houses and beautiful churches clustered around a medieval castle. You'll still see locals baking bread in communal wood-fired ovens, fishermen mending their nets at the port of Psathi, and a pace of life that follows the tides rather than the clock.
“Kimolos is what the Cyclades used to be; it's pure, wild, and wonderfully unhurried.”
02On the map
03 · Where to stay
Kimolos offers distinct neighbourhoods for every trip style. Compare areas and rates for your dates on our Kimolos hotels page or the detailed where to stay in Kimolos guide.
Area 01The Living Kastro
Photo: IMFJ at Dutch Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The island's capital and only real village is a classic Cycladic settlement built around a medieval castle. Whitewashed houses, bougainvillea-draped balconies, and tiny churches create an amazing atmosphere. You'll find a handful of tavernas in the main square, which acts as the heart of the island's social life.
Area 02The Colorful Port
Photo: Δέσποινα Αλεξούδη, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
This tiny port is where you'll arrive and where fishing boats bob in the harbor. A few tavernas line the waterfront, serving fresh catch. The colorful syrmata, or boat houses, carved right into the shore rocks give the port a very distinct look.
The Fishermen's Haven
A tiny hamlet east of the port, Goupa is famous for its beautiful syrmata. These are traditional boat shelters carved into the shoreline rock and painted in bright colors. It's easily one of the most photogenic spots on the island.
The Sunset Shore
Don't confuse this with the famous Klima on Milos. This Klima is a quiet cluster of houses on the western shore, known for its spectacular sunsets over the open Aegean. It's a peaceful spot where time stands still.
04 · Story
Kimolos is part of the Milos volcanic arc, and ancient eruptions shaped its unique landscape. These events produced the white chalk, or "kimolia gi", that gives the island its name. In antiquity, this chalky earth was highly prized for cleaning and bleaching fabrics.
In the 14th century, locals built the Kastro, a fortified settlement in Chorio where the outer walls of the houses formed a defensive barrier against pirate raids. Parts of this medieval castle still stand today, blending right into the village's architecture.
Kimolos and neighboring Milos were once busy mining centers. Miners extracted silver and other minerals from the volcanic rock. The island's bentonite and perlite deposits are still important today, though mining is done on a much smaller, sustainable scale.
While other Cycladic islands saw massive tourism booms, Kimolos was largely overlooked. That's turned out to be a blessing. The island keeps its traditional customs, unique architectural style, and close-knit community, welcoming the few travelers who make the trip.
05 · Beaches
The best shores of Kimolos
A wide arc of fine white sand lapped by impossibly turquoise water, framed by white chalk cliffs. It's often called the best beach on Kimolos.
A long sandy beach on the south coast. It's got natural shade from tamarisk trees and a small church nearby.
Dark volcanic rock meets emerald water in a series of small coves. You'll find natural hot spots here from underwater thermal springs.
Secluded & Serene04Photo: rob Stoeltje from loenen, netherlands, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A remote beach on the west coast with golden sand. It's surrounded by dramatic rocks and is rarely visited, even in peak season.
A small sheltered cove on the east coast. Its calm waters are protected from the meltemi wind, making it perfect for relaxed swimming.
Car & ATV hire
Reach every beach on Kimolos
Compare local agencies with port and hotel delivery.
06 · At the table
Rustic island cooking featuring goat cheese, fresh seafood, and recipes passed down through generations
A traditional flatbread topped with tomatoes, onions, and olive oil. It's the island's signature dish, baked in wood-fired ovens.
Fresh soft cheese made from local goats. Since they graze on wild herbs, it's got a wonderfully aromatic flavor.
Wild capers harvested from the volcanic hillsides. They're fried to crispy perfection and served as a delicious meze.
Freshly caught octopus dried in the sun and grilled over charcoal. It's served simple with vinegar and olive oil.
Sun-ripened Cycladic tomatoes mixed with herbs and fried into crispy balls. We love them as an appetizer.
Small-batch wines and raki produced by island families, shared generously at tavernas and homes.
07 · A day on the island
From sunrise to sunset in Kimolos
Trek to the island's most famous landmark: the Skiadi, a massive mushroom-shaped rock formation carved by wind erosion. Standing alone on the hillside, it's a unique geological formation.
Sail to Polyaigos, the largest uninhabited island in the Aegean. Its pristine beaches, sea caves, and turquoise waters are accessible only by boat, and you might spot a monk seal.
Spend the morning at Kimolos's finest beach. The white chalk cliffs and crystal-clear turquoise water create a stunning scene. Bring a snorkel to explore the rocky edges.
Wander the beautiful lanes of Chorio, discovering medieval castle walls, tiny churches with painted interiors, and the local Folklore Museum.
Walk from Psathi to Goupa photographing the colorful syrmata: traditional boat garages carved into the volcanic rock at the waterline.
Discover the underwater thermal springs near Mavrospilia. The warm water seeping through the volcanic seabed creates natural warm pools among the rocks.
Walk the trail along the western coastline from Klima, watching the sun dip into the Aegean. The white volcanic landscape glows orange and pink as evening falls.
End the day at one of Psathi's waterfront tavernas, enjoying freshly grilled fish, ladenia flatbread, and local wine as the fishing boats rock gently in the harbor.
Tours & activities
Book the best of Kimolos
Sailing trips, sunset cruises, diving and cooking classes.
Curated tours
Curated tours and activities
Sail to the uninhabited island of Polyaigos, exploring sea caves, swimming in crystal-clear bays, and enjoying a seafood lunch aboard.
Guided walk to Skiadi rock and along the scenic trail network, learning about the island's volcanic geology and traditional farming.
Evening sail around Kimolos's western coast with wine and meze, watching the sunset over the Aegean.
08 · When to go
Find the perfect time for your Kimolos trip
19-24°C
Very Low Crowds
Wildflowers everywhere, perfect hiking weather, very few visitors
23-28°C
Low Crowds
Warm seas, boat trips begin, excellent conditions for exploring
26-31°C
Medium Crowds
Peak beach season, meltemi winds, Polyaigos boat trips daily
27-32°C
Medium-High Crowds
Feast of the Assumption (Aug 15), strong winds, busier weeks
24-28°C
Low Crowds
Warm sea, calm winds, superb conditions, harvest season
19-23°C
Very Low Crowds
Peaceful autumn, sea still swimmable, very few tourists remain
09 · Getting there
Ferry routes and travel connections
From
Local Ferry (Saos)
Duration
20-30 min
Price
€4-6
From
Regular Ferry
Duration
6-8h
Price
€35-50
From
Regular Ferry
Duration
1h
Price
€8-12
From
Regular Ferry
Duration
1.5-2h
Price
€12-18
10 · Island hopping
Kimolos connects to 3 nearby islands by ferry. These are the live island-hopping routes, drawn from our full Cyclades ferry catalogue.
80+ volcanic beaches including Sarakiniko and Kleftiko, just 20 minutes away.
from €20
The gourmet capital of the Cyclades with pottery villages and spectacular hiking.
from €6.00
from €13.00
11 · Book
Ferries, hotels, car hire and neighbourhood guides: everything you need after reading this Kimolos guide.
12 · Essentials
Insider tips for your Kimolos trip
Kimolos · 2026 updates
FAQ
Everything you need to know about Kimolos
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